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Kitchener, a city in Southern Ontario, has a population of more than 205,000; with the metropolitan areas of adjacent cities of Waterloo and Cambridge, the population increases to more than 451,000. Situated on the Grand River, Kitchener is famous for its 130-year-old farmer's market and the annual Oktoberfest celebration. Until 1916, the city was called Berlin. Outdoor activities include hiking, bird watching, fishing and swimming at nearby beaches.

Laurel Creek Conservation Area

The closest beach to Kitchener, located in the Laurel Creek Conservation Area (grandriver.ca/parks/LaurelCreek.cfm), offers swimming and windsurfing for families as well as picnic areas and hiking trails along the Grand River. The beach features a sandy bottom but is not patrolled by lifeguards. Life jackets are available for free at the gatehouse. A campground offers 126 campsites for overnight stays.

Lake Huron

Lake Huron, west of Kitchener, has the longest shoreline of the Great Lakes with several long sandy beaches. Famous for its 30 miles of beach and sandy lake bottom, Grand Bend (grandbend.com) is about 72 miles from Kitchener. Another beach area just south of grand Bend worth a day trip is Pinery Park (pinerypark.on.ca) with its coastal sand dunes. Sunsets along Lake Huron are worth extending the day. Towns of Goderich and Bayfield, north of Grand Bend, offer beaches as well as the opportunity to windsurf, jet ski and watch lake freighters arrive in the harbors.

Elgin County

Lake Erie has beaches stretching from Niagara to Windsor with Port Stanley in Elgin County one of the most popular areas for families to swim and make sand castles. Port Stanley features Big Beach for adults and teens and Little Beach for small children. Lifeguards are on duty during summer months at both. Nearby, Port Burwell, Port Bruce and Port Glasgow offer sandy beaches as well as many historic buildings in quaint villages. Port Stanley is 85 miles from Kitchener.

Norfolk County

Further east along Lake Erie, Norfolk County has sandy beaches with a shallow entry and features fishing for perch and pickerel, scuba diving, and boating. Known as the Gold Coast because of 400 ships carrying treasure that have been wrecked in the lake, the shores include Turkey Point, Port Dover, Long Point and Port Ryerse. Port Dover is only 56 miles from Kitchener.

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About the Author

Bonnie Cowan began her career in 1979 as a writer and editor in the magazine industry for publications such as "Reader’s Digest," "Best Health magazine," "Zoomer Magazine," "Canadian Living" and EverBetter.ca. She focuses her writing in the areas of travel, relationships, gardening and food. Bonnie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Waterloo.